Man arrested, arraigned for impersonating police a year after committing same crime

A man posing as a police officer was arrested in Pipeline Estate, Embakasi, Nairobi after he attempted to extort a businessman by demanding his business permits.

The impersonator, Felix Odhiambo Ohuru, admitted guilt to charges of impersonation.

The court heard that he pretended to be a police officer, contrary to Section 101(1)(b) of the National Police Service (NPS) Act, after allegedly arresting Dancun Kyalo Nzau near the TAJ Mall area in Embakasi on August 31, 2024.

"At TAJ Mall area within Embakasi sub-county, jointly with another not before the court, not being a police officer and without the authority of the Inspector General of Police, pretended to be a police officer with a purpose of demanding a business license, being in possession of a pair of handcuffs, and demanding to arrest a member of the public," the charges against Ohuru read in part.

Ohuru was charged with impersonation, knowing he lacked the authority to act in the capacity of a police officer.

According to the court documents, he confronted Nzau as he was on his way to a gas station plant to refill his cylinders.

Nzau was stopped by two men, including Ohuru, who threatened to arrest him if he did produce a license for the business while introducing themselves as police officers. The two men produced a pair of handcuffs for Ohuru to use in arresting Nzau.

The businessman asked the two men to accompany him back to his company, but upon arrival, they could not provide satisfactory identification. Doubts arose among the public, leading to the men being detained for questioning.

When searched and found in possession of handcuffs, they were reported to the police. Neither could produce a certificate of appointment from the National Police Service (NPS).

Before the police arrived, Ohuru's accomplice fled, leaving him behind. The police subsequently arrested Ohuru.

During the investigation, Ohuru revealed that his accomplice, who had escaped, was the owner of the handcuffs.

Ohuru admitted the charges before Principal Magistrate Eric Mutunga of the Makadara Law Courts. He was remanded in custody until September 10, when the court will receive the prosecution evidence and exhibits in the case against him before sentencing him.

He had previously faced similar charges in January of the previous year, entering a plea before former Makadara Chief Magistrate Francis Kyambia on January 12.

This was after he was arrested at the Winners Chapel, a popular church along Likoni Road in Nairobi, where he had presented himself as a senior police officer with the rank of Superintendent of Police.